Sheet metal compressor enclosure

ABSTRACT

A member of sheet material is formed with an upstanding protuberance of truncated form. A second member of sheet material is formed with a pair of incisions converging inwardly from one edge of the member. The area between the incisions is bent laterally from the plane of the second member forming a notch therein which is dimensioned comparable to the protuberance in the first member and with the tab overlying the top of the protuberance. The tab is attached to the protuberance by a fastener such as a screw or pop rivet.

United States Patent [191 Cann 1 3,792,881 451 Feb; 19, 1974 SHEET METAL COMPRESSOR ENCLOSURE [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, NY. 22 Filed: June 29,1972

21 Appl. No.: 267,335

Peter L. Cann, Syracuse, NY.

52 1 Field of Search ..;s 2 7 ss n 51 int. Cl. Fl6b s/02 [58] Field ofSearch ..287/189.36 D, 189.36 R,

287/189.36 F, 205,189.36 H, 189.36 A; 52/241 285, 584, 666, 664, 408, 618

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1970 Andersson 52/6'18 1,859,664 5/1932 Fulda 52/666 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or Firm-D. Emmett Thompson [5 7] ABSTRACT A member of sheet material is formed with an upstanding protuberance of truncated form. A second member of sheet material is formed with a pair of incisions converging inwardly from one edge of the member. The area between the incisions is bent laterally from the plane of the second member forming a notch therein which is dimensioned comparable to the protuberance in the first member and with the tab overlying the top of the protuberance. The tab is attached to the protuberance by a fastener such as a screw or pop rivet.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 SHEET METAL COMPRESSOR ENCLOSURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention has to do with a method and structure for attaching members of sheet material, especially sheet metal. A first member such as a tray or base is formed with an upstanding protuberance of truncated form, preferably of conical form. One edge of the first member is formed with a notch dimensioned for an engaging fit with the protuberance on the other member. The material resulting from the formation of the notch is bent out of the plane of the second member to form a tab which engages the top surface of the protuberance and is fixed thereto as by a screw or the like. One advantage of this arrangement is that the first member is not apertured in its plane. Accordingly, when that member is in the form of a tray or base having an upstanding peripheral flange, moisture disposed on the tray will not leak from the tray. Also, the second member is mounted on the base in perpendicular relation thereto permitting the convenient application of the screw or other fastener through the tab of the second member and through the top wall of the protuberance. Also, the fastening member does not protrude from the plane of the first member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 10 designates a flat member formed of sheet material such as sheet metal and having upstanding peripheral flanges 11. A member is positioned on the member 10 in perpendicular relation thereto and includes panel sections 13, 14 and 15. I

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base member 10 is formed with truncated protuberances or embossments 17. These protuberances are illustrated as being of truncated conical form, although they may be of truncated pyramidal form. The protuberances 17, due to their truncated form, have top walls apertured to receive screws 21.

The panel structure is formed with notches spaced complemental to the protuberances 17. In the structure shown, the panel sections 13, 15 are formed with incisions 25 converging inwardly from the edges of the sections as shown in FIG. 4. The area 27 between the incisions 25 is bent normal to the panel sectionsproviding tabs 28. The edge 30 of the panel structure in which the incisions 25 are formed is positioned on the base or tray 10. The incisions 25 are spaced apart to form notches dimensioned comparable to the protuberances 17 as illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be noted, referring to FIG. 1, that the panel portions formed with the protuberance receiving notches are arranged in chordal relation to the conical protuberance. In other words, the notches 25 are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the protuberance, This arrangement is to provide for the tab 28 overlying the top wall 20 of the protuberance.

The embodiment of this invention is particularly advantageous in the assembly of sheet metal components. It will be observed, referring to the drawings, that the panel is positioned vertically on the base 10 permitting the convenient application of the fasteners 21. The panel 10 may constitute the base member of a cabinet in which the compressor and condenser of a refrigeration unit is mounted. With this invention, the base member does not have to be turned overfor the attaching of the panel. Also, the attachment by way of the protuberance 17 results in the base member 10 not being apertured in its plane as would be the case if the panel were simply formed with laterally extending tabs positioned on the base. With this arrangement, leakage of condensate is avoided. Furthermore, it will be observed, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, that the fastening member 21 does not extend below the plane of the base member 10.

I claim:

1. A sheet metal structure comprising a first member disposed in edgewise position on a second member, said second member being formed with a protuberance of truncated form having a top wall spaced from the plane of said second member, said first member being formed with a notch in the edge portion thereof engaging said second member, said notch being dimensioned and formed comparable to said protuberance and engaging the same, said first member having an integral taboverlying the top wall of said protuberance and fastening means fixedly securing said tab to said protuberance.

2. A sheet metal structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said protuberance is of truncated, conical form.

3. A sheet metal structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said notch is formed by a pair of incisions extending inwardly from the edge of said first member and said tab is formed by bending the area between said incisions laterally from said first member. 

1. A sheet metal structure comprising a first member disposed in edgewise position on a second member, said second member being formed with a protuberance of truncated form having a top wall spaced from the plane of said second member, said first member being formed with a notch in the edge portion thereof engaging said second member, said notch being dimensioned and formed comparable to said protuberance and engaging the same, said first member having an integral tab overlying the top wall of said protuberance and fastening means fixedly securing said tab to said protuberance.
 2. A sheet metal structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said protuberance is of truncated, conical form.
 3. A sheet metal structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said notch is formed by a pair of incisions extending inwardly from the edge of said first member and said tab is formed by bending the area between said incisions laterally from said first member. 